It is rather easy to be frustrated with the current job market these days. Regardless of what you do, it is important not to bring such frustration to an interview.

If you have been “let go”, treat it as an experience that you have to learn from. If you have been searching for a new job for months, you may feel disillusioned sometimes to the point of giving up. It is normal for an array of emotions to surface, but learn to not dwell on these emotions for too long, let go and move forward.

Below are a few tips for what you can do during this difficult time:

• Be positive
  You now have to look forward to new opportunities. Although you may feel apprehensive about entering the interview process – it’s important that you lay those feelings aside and put 110% effort in. Make sure that you stay positive, informed and engaged about your industry. Employers may want to hear what your experience of losing your job was like, and any positive learnings you have taken from it. They might also be interested to hear what you have done since being unemployed. Spend some time thinking about how you will position yourself as the smart, knowledgeable professional that you are, rather than just another casualty of the financial crisis.

• Be on the market
  Never stop networking and talking to people, start making connections. It will help you not only to stay positive but also to come up with new ideas regarding your job search.

• Be prepared
  Update your resume, speak to your recruiter and remember to prepare for interviews. Learn about the company, prepare to answer interview questions and also what you can bring to the company you are interviewing with. It will certainly give you an edge.

• Overcome financial matters
  Financially, it can be very tough. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Work with your family to plan how to get through your period of unemployment financially. Work out your finances; create other streams of income to pay your bills. Don’t limit yourself to permanent roles only, consider contract roles as well.

Early last year, I had been in touch with someone who was “let go” due to tough market conditions. We had discussed how to stay positive during these times. He followed some of the tips, went on dressing every morning like he had for work to study, improving his expertise as well as his resume and interview skills. Six months later, I had a job for him. The company was very impressed, as on top of his skills he had stayed focused and in touch with the market, fully aware of what was going in his industry.

Remember, there are many people in similar situations and staying positive and focused will certainly help you in being successful in your job search.  It is a highly competitive market and there are always others competing for the same role.

Career advice, coping with job loss, how to handle job loss, staying positive while looking for a job, Unemployment, キャリアアドバイス, 失業